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  "title": "Wallpapering: preparation and specification | Mr Wallcover",
  "description": "Plan the wall, quantity and installation: published preparation and hanging guides, with a source-backed reference to wallcovering fire ratings.",
  "language": "en-GB",
  "author": "Dorin Burcus",
  "dates": {
    "published": null,
    "modified": null,
    "reviewed": "2026-10-09"
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    {
      "level": 1,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Plan the wall. Then the finish."
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": "materials-heading",
      "text": "Lining papers, pastes and primers"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": "fire-ratings",
      "text": "Fire ratings"
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      "text": "Preparation and hanging guides"
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    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Wall preparation"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Set-out and pattern matching"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Ceilings and staircases"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Hand-painted papers and murals"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Grasscloth seams and variation"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "id": null,
      "text": "Problems and aftercare"
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      "text": "Start with the product reference."
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  "markdown": "Wallpapering\n\n# Plan the wall. *Then the finish.*\n\nStart with the product, the wall and the room it is going into. These guides cover quantities, preparation and hanging; the wallcovering maker’s current instructions come first.\n\n[Prepare**Understand the wall**Substrate, existing finishes and preparation →](https://www.mrwallcover.com/wallpapering/preparation/) [Plan**Work out the rolls**Working quantity, spare and cutting plan →](https://www.mrwallcover.com/calculator/) [Specify**Prepare the brief**Product references, drawings and responsibilities →](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/designer-specification-checklist/)\n\nPreparation materials\n\n## Lining papers, pastes and primers\n\nStart with the wallcovering maker’s current instructions. Compare our preparation guidance, lining grades and materials reference, with product sources and the dates checked.\n\n[Lining & adhesives](https://www.mrwallcover.com/wallpapering/lining-and-adhesives/)\n\nTechnical reference\n\n## Fire ratings\n\nA class such as B-s1,d0 applies to the product in the documented build-up, within its permitted variations. Check the exact wallcovering, substrate and adhesive together. The separate reference explains the classes, the four UK nations and the evidence available for named products.\n\n[Fire ratings & standards](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wallcovering-fire-ratings-uk/)\n\nRead the documents as one build-up\n\n1. 01**Substrate**\n\nThe wall or board, including its class, thickness and density where specified.\n\n2. 02**Fixing & preparation**\n\nThe adhesive and any primer, lining, joints or air gap covered by the evidence.\n\n3. 03**Exact wallcovering**\n\nThe product reference, backing, weight, finish and printed variant.\n\nSchematic only. A product classification covers the documented build-up and its permitted variations. These are things to check, not a recommended construction; do not assume an unmentioned layer is included.\n\n## Preparation and hanging guides\n\nIllustrative study\n\nPause motion\n\n03 / preparing\n\n## [Wall preparation](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wall-preparation/)\n\nHow to tell whether a wall is ready for wallcovering: old coatings, dryness, soundness, filling and sanding, lining paper, priming and what needs a site inspection.\n\n[Read the guide](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wall-preparation/)\n\n![Setting out an Overture panel against a laser line.](https://www.mrwallcover.com/media/img/r/lee-broom-06-800.webp)\n\nSetting out Overture to a laser line. Photograph: Dorin Burcus.\n\n13 / planning\n\n## [Set-out and pattern matching](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/set-out-and-pattern-matching/)\n\nWhere the first drop goes and why: setting out from a focal point, setting a true vertical with a laser in a room that is not square, matching across joints and corners, balancing the end panels, hanging murals in order, and joining wide vinyl by overlap and splice.\n\n[Read the guide](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/set-out-and-pattern-matching/)\n\n![A length of Lincrusta relief panel offered up to the wall with a green laser line for setting out, Trematon Castle, November 2021.](https://www.mrwallcover.com/media/img/r/trematon-ig-29-800.webp)\n\nDuring works: Lincrusta set out at Trematon Castle. Mr Wallcover photograph.\n\n12 / planning\n\n## [Ceilings and staircases](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/papered-ceilings-and-staircases/)\n\nWhat changes when the paper goes overhead or up a stair: the order of work in a room, relief papers on ceilings, cutting around lanterns and roses, heritage ceilings, stair-wall set-out and why stairs need a larger allowance.\n\n[Read the guide](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/papered-ceilings-and-staircases/)\n\nIllustrative study\n\nPause motion\n\n06 / planning\n\n## [Hand-painted papers and murals](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/hand-painted-murals-set-out/)\n\nHow a scenic or hand-painted paper is set out: elevations, the focal point, panel sequence, doors and corners, finished dimensions and when the survey has to happen.\n\n[Read the guide](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/hand-painted-murals-set-out/)\n\n![Close detail of a woven grasscloth wallcovering turning an external corner, the weave running straight and tight to the edge.](https://www.mrwallcover.com/media/img/r/fs-residences-06-800.webp)\n\nNatural weave at an external corner, Four Seasons residences. Mr Wallcover photograph.\n\n02 / choosing\n\n## [Grasscloth seams and variation](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/grasscloth-seams-and-variation/)\n\nGrasscloth seams show and panels vary in shade. What is normal, what is a fault, how the set-out and the batch change the result, and what to settle before you order.\n\n[Read the guide](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/grasscloth-seams-and-variation/)\n\nIllustrative study\n\nPause motion\n\n10 / caring\n\n## [Problems and aftercare](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wallcovering-problems-and-aftercare/)\n\nWhat to do when a wallcovering bubbles, lifts or marks: what to photograph and record, what not to touch, how to clean each material, and when an inspection is needed.\n\n[Read the guide](https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wallcovering-problems-and-aftercare/)\n\nYour project\n\n## Start with the product reference.\n\nSend the room, the material you are considering and any drawings or photographs you already have.\n\n[Discuss your wallcovering](https://www.mrwallcover.com/contact/?intent=advice&service=wallcovering&topic=wallpapering)\n\nBy [Dorin Burcus](https://www.mrwallcover.com/about/#dorin), founder\n",
  "links": [
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/wallpapering/preparation/",
      "text": "Prepare Understand the wall Substrate, existing finishes and preparation →"
    },
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/calculator/",
      "text": "Plan Work out the rolls Working quantity, spare and cutting plan →"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/designer-specification-checklist/",
      "text": "Specify Prepare the brief Product references, drawings and responsibilities →"
    },
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/wallpapering/lining-and-adhesives/",
      "text": "Lining & adhesives"
    },
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wallcovering-fire-ratings-uk/",
      "text": "Fire ratings & standards"
    },
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wall-preparation/",
      "text": "Wall preparation"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wall-preparation/",
      "text": "Read the guide"
    },
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/set-out-and-pattern-matching/",
      "text": "Set-out and pattern matching"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/set-out-and-pattern-matching/",
      "text": "Read the guide"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/papered-ceilings-and-staircases/",
      "text": "Ceilings and staircases"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/papered-ceilings-and-staircases/",
      "text": "Read the guide"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/hand-painted-murals-set-out/",
      "text": "Hand-painted papers and murals"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/hand-painted-murals-set-out/",
      "text": "Read the guide"
    },
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      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/grasscloth-seams-and-variation/",
      "text": "Grasscloth seams and variation"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/grasscloth-seams-and-variation/",
      "text": "Read the guide"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wallcovering-problems-and-aftercare/",
      "text": "Problems and aftercare"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/advice/wallcovering-problems-and-aftercare/",
      "text": "Read the guide"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/contact/?intent=advice&service=wallcovering&topic=wallpapering",
      "text": "Discuss your wallcovering"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://www.mrwallcover.com/about/#dorin",
      "text": "Dorin Burcus"
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      "text": "Home"
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      "text": "Wallpapering"
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      "text": "Preparation"
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      "text": "Quantity guide"
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      "text": "Hanging guides"
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